Timmins Rock head coach and general manager Brandon Perry told the Daily Press this week that his summer has been very busy and that he is very excited about his returning players. ANDREW AUTIO/THE DAILY PRESS
Over the past few weeks, the Rock have been officially announcing player signings for the upcoming season
Andrew Autio
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
As the summer approaches its unofficial midway point, hockey likely isn’t at the top of mind for most people, but for Timmins Rock head coach and general manager Brandon Perry, there simply isn’t much of an off-season.
From scouting to talent, to locking in key veterans, its been a busy few months since the Rock’s playoff run came to an end on April 11 in Hearst.
“Its been good. Its been busy. We took a team down to the T.E.P.(Team Elite Prospect) tournament in Toronto. Yeah its been a busy summer,” he told The Daily Press on Friday.
The T.E.P. tournament, which ran from June 19 to 22, was a new addition to the usual summer routine for Perry and the Rock, as they have usually held a spring camp in Whitby.
“It was a really good atmosphere to see how guys interact in live play. How you can interact with them on the bench, how quickly they pick up information, how quickly they apply it. It was a lot better of a format than our typical spring camp. It was really good. The team performed well, we went 5-1.”
The Rock’s tournament roster was composed of four returning players, a new signing, three members of the Timmins Majors U-18 team, and the rest were young prospects from across Ontario. Perry said there were several players who surprised the staff.
Over the past few weeks, the Rock have been officially announcing player signings for the upcoming season.
One of the key returnees is forward Lucas Lowe, who will be entering his fourth year with the team.
The 20-year-old Oshawa native told The Daily Press that he made his decision fairly quickly this spring.
“I was giving myself some time to think about it, but I think I always knew what it was going to be,” he said, adding that he is aiming for his best season of hockey yet.
It’s been a whirlwind journey for Lowe, who said he knew absolutely nothing about the team or the city, when a fateful trip to a camp in the summer of 2022 changed his hockey trajectory.
“I went to a million camps, and then right at the end of the summer, Brandon Perry contacted me and asked me to come out for their camp. So I went out. He was the first coach to offer me a spot,” he said.
“I thought I was going to play another year of triple-A, then I decided to go to Timmins. Eight hours north, and I didn’t really even know it was a place. But now, this will be my fourth year.”
It proved to be a great decision, as Lowe’s rookie season in 2022-23 culminated in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League championship and a trip to the Centennial Cup.
“That was huge,” Lowe said.
“Its pretty crazy. I think I learned more in that one year of hockey than I did my whole career before that. It was such an important year. I had a lot of role models and it really set my path for my future, and who I want to be, and what I strive for.”
Perry is ecstatic to have a seasoned vet like Lowe back in the fold.
“Experience is invaluable right? Not just the fact of knowing how we play, and knowing the expectations from the coaching staff, but just his own experiences and growing as a player, and having that championship season a couple of years ago,” he said.
“Those are just invaluable skills – I guess you can call them – that you look for in a player. We know him. He knows us. We know what Lucas brings every night, and we’re super happy to have him back.”
This off-season, Lowe, who played in the T.E.P. tournament, has been keeping in shape both on and off the ice with landscaping and lawn maintenance duties.
“Yeah, I started my own little business. I’ve got a couple of former Rock players helping out, who are from down south.”
His crew includes familiar names like Liam Wells, Jaden Lyons, and Chase Longhurst-McIntyre.
Lowe said he is excited to see some of the names signed up to return this fall.
“Lots of leadership, a lot of experience, and a lot of talent. Its going to be a good year.”
Joining Lowe on the forward ranks will be home grown talents Kaeden McArthur, and Thomas Beard.
McArthur led the Rock in scoring last season with 22 goals, 34 assists, good for 56 points in 43 games played.
“I think with K-Mac(McArthur) and his talent, he could be the most dominant player in the league if he decides he wants to be that. 6 foot 2, he can fly, he’s got great instincts, he’s got a great shot, sees the ice really well, he can finish. It was a no-brainer bringing him back,” said Perry.
Beard will also be counted on to improve on an already solid season last year where scored 14 times and had 36 points in 41 games played.
“What more can you say about Thomas? He brings the same amount of experience as Lucas and K-Mac. They were all a part of that championship team. The best thing about Thomas is you know what you’re getting every single night. Low maintenance player. Plays the game the right way, and plays it hard.”
“He doesn’t say too much, but he knows the expectations of the coaching staff, and the team, and the community. He takes a lot of pride in representing his community, and we’re thrilled to have him back as well.”
Perry has some high-end talent returning on the defense corps as well with Braedyn Cyr, and Matthew Kim.
Cyr was named a second-team NOJHL All-Star in his first year in Timmins.
“He was a huge surprise for us last year obviously. He exceeded every expectation we had of him. Just a real pleasure to coach. Big strong kid, moves well, great defender, and has great offensive instincts on the blue line. He’s going to have a monster year for us,” said Perry.
“Matthew Kim is an elite talent. I think at the beginning, he needed to kind of figure out how we want to play, and how he can use his skills within the system we play. But his skating ability, his ability to create offence, his defensive instincts, the way his mind works, his edges – are all elite.”
“We’re super excited to have a full season with Matthew Kim. I think he’s going to be one of the best defensemen in the league.”
Zach Secord is also confirmed as a blueline returnee for his second season with his hometown team.
“A great local kid. Tough player. Plays hard. Great defender. He has the ability to provide offence as well, given the opportunity. Hard-nosed kid. Shows up every day to do his job.”
Perry also said veteran defenseman Sam Gallagher is a likely returnee, however he will miss the first few months of the season recovering from a surgery.
Between the pipes, the Rock are going with youth once again as Graham Gee is back for his second season with the club. Additionally, the team has signed another 16-year netminder by the name of Ayden Mullen, who Perry is very high on.
“He’s a kid we’ve been following for the last two years. I would have signed him last year if he was of age. He’s that good.”
“We had the opportunity to sign him here early in the summer, and we’re super excited to have him,” he said, noting Mullen was outstanding at the T.E.P. tournament.
“He’s got a tonne of poise already for a young kid. He’s calm. He moves well in the net. He’s got good angles, and he rarely gets beat on the first shot.”
Perry said the team is hoping to provide the same development they’ve given for 16 year old netminders from the previous three seasons – Gee, Dryden Riley, and Jacob Brown.
“Obviously having Graham back in a bigger role this year, we’re hoping he rises to the occasion. It was a bit of an up-and-down year for him as a 16 year old, but we’re expecting big things from him this season. I know he’s working hard back home, and we’re excited to see what kind of shape he comes back in.”
The Rock’s training camp will begin on Aug. 11, and run for two weeks before the team travels to Collingwood for the Cottage Cup, which takes place from Aug. 26 to 28.
On Friday, the NOJHL released the schedule for the 2025-26 season. The Rock will play in the season opener, on the road, as they face the two-time defending league champion Greater Sudbury Cubs on Thursday, Sept. 11.
The Rock will play their home opener on Friday, Sept.19 as they host the Blind River Beavers.
